Job Description

The University of New England Westbrook College of Health Professions (WCHP) invites applications for a full-time, 12-month, tenure-track faculty position from individuals with a strong record of innovative biomedical research. Academic rank will commensurate with the candidate's credentials and experience. The search committee will begin reviewing applications on (date posted).

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, current CV, a statement of research interests, and a statement of teaching experience/philosophy.

Candidates' research focus should complement the existing strengths at the university. The successful candidate will join the Center for Cell Signaling Research, an NIH Phase 1 COBRE-funded center that supports a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary community of researchers with a broad focus on cell signaling in aging, inflammation and cellular metabolism. Additional strengths in research at UNE include neurobiology, including the Center for Pain Research, neuroimmunology, pharmacology, and bone and joint mechanobiology.

Ample research space will be provided in the Portland Laboratory for Biotechnology and Health Sciences (PLBHS), along with access to core instrumentation and research services provided by highly trained staff in core facilities for in vitro analytics, histology and imaging, and rodent behavior. Successful applicants will be offered a competitive start-up package to establish their research program at the university.

The PHLBS encompasses a 5,000-square-foot research space in the UNE Pharmacy building on the Portland campus. This modern research space provides infrastructure for ongoing research in therapeutic discovery, biosensor development for biomanufacturing, translational pharmacology, biomarker development and pharmacokinetics research. In addition to providing infrastructure for state-of-the-art research, a major focus of this laboratory is to provide workforce development opportunities for students with interest in careers in biotechnology and health sciences.

About the

UNE

Westbrook College of Health Professions

WCHP is part of the Portland Campus for the. Health Sciences, and shares the UNE campus in Portland with the College of Osteopathic Medicine and College of Dental on the southern Maine coast. WCHP prepares its graduates to practice, lead and excel in today's evolving health care environment. WCHP is comprised of undergraduate and graduate programming is home to 14 health professions programs. The faculty and professional staff of the college are dedicated to relationship-focused and student-centered approaches to learning.

The philosophy of the college is grounded in interprofessional education and collaborative practice, and all majors and programs are committed to this endeavor. It is well understood that the best health outcomes are achieved when care is well coordinated by a team of professionals. Students in the college participate in numerous curricular, co-curricular, and extra-curricular interprofessional activities including experiential learning, clinical education, skills lab, gross anatomy lab, simulation activities, service learning, and more.

About the University of New England

UNE is Maine's largest private university, with two beautiful campuses in coastal southern Maine. In an uncommonly welcoming and collaborative community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to positively impact a world full of challenges. We are the state's top provider of health professionals and home to Maine's only medical, dental, and pharmacy colleges, a variety of other interprofessional health care programs, and nationally recognized programs in the marine sciences, the natural and social sciences, business, computer sciences, the humanities, and the arts.

UNE has a strong and actively growing biomedical research and biotechnology community, with research centers located on both Maine campuses. Learn more about our research community:UNE Westbrook College of Health Professions:

https://www.une.edu/wchp

UNE Office of Research and Innovation:

https://www.une.edu/research

https://www.une.edu/magazine

Center for Cell Signaling Research:

https://www.une.edu/research/center-cell-signaling-research

Center for Pain Research:

https://www.une.edu/research/center-pain-research

Portland Laboratory for Biotechnology and Health Sciences:

https://www.une.edu/sites/default/files/2024-06/PortlandLaboratoryforBiotechnologyandHealthSciences%20October%202023_0.pdf

Responsibilities

The Mid-Career Research Scientist (Cell Signaling) will advance the mission of the Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) and the Westbrook College of Health Professions (WCHP) by developing a strong, and collaborative research program in cellular signaling mechanisms relevant to health, disease, and therapeutic innovation. The researcher will contribute to a vibrant interdisciplinary environment that integrates biomedical discovery with the educational and clinical focus of the UNE, WCHP, and the School of Pharmacy.



The new investigator at the Associate/Professor level will be expected to have a successful track record of NIH funding and significant mentorship experience, with the expectation that they will be able to serve as a COBRE faculty mentor. A goal for this mid-senior level position would be to provide the experience necessary to become an effective successor PI for the Center in the
event that becomes necessary. Therefore, the scientific expertise for this position would be carefully examined to be consistent with the theme of the CCSR, with particular emphasis given to research on intracellular and/or intercellular signal transduction in the areas of aging, inflammation and metabolism, and expertise in the strengths of the IVAC, including the use of biosensors for functional imaging of physiological and metabolic processes, high content imaging and
protein-based assays. Any recruitment plans will be discussed with members of the Advisory Committee, particularly the External Advisors, as they may have specific recommendations regarding important areas of expertise or potential candidates for these positions. Importantly, any new faculty recruits to the COBRE will be fully immersed into the culture
of the CCSR, supported financially, in part, through COBRE start-up funds (with other funds coming from institutional support), and placed into our faculty mentoring development program.

Key Responsibilities:

Establish and sustain a productive, externally funded research program in cell signaling with clear relevance to human health and disease processes. Collaborate with faculty across biomedical and health sciences disciplines (e.g., occupational therapy, physical therapy, physician assistant studies, nursing, and biomedical sciences) to advance translational and team-based research. Prepare and submit competitive grant proposals to federal agencies (e.g., NIH, NSF) and foundations. Contribute to the COBRE's research portfolio through collaborative and center-aligned grant initiatives. Mentor early-career faculty, postdoctoral scholars, and graduate students in research design, data analysis, and scholarly productivity. Contribute to building research capacity across the College. Strong communication and collaboration skills will be required, understanding of interprofessional education and practice. Publish research findings in high-impact peer-reviewed journals and present at national and international scientific meetings. Utilize and contribute to the enhancement of COBRE-supported core facilities. Provide feedback to optimize core resources for health professions research applications. Participate in COBRE program meetings, seminars, and retreats. Support the College's research mission through committee service, collaborative projects, and student engagement. Ensure research activities adhere to all institutional, federal, and ethical standards, fostering a culture of integrity and rigor in research. Team player for the research team building rapport, relationships, and camaraderie. Participate as appropriate in teaching subject matter expertise in classroom, laboratory, profession-specific and interprofessional opportunities. Other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Doctoral degree in a relevant biomedical field. Active R01-level NIH or NSF research funding. Demonstrated management and leadership capabilities. Proven record of excellence in teaching at the graduate and/or professional level. Experience mentoring students and faculty. Enthusiasm for interprofessional teaching and collaboration with biomedical and clinical faculty.

EEO Statement Summary

Consistent with federal and state law and University policy, the University of New England is committed to the fundamental concept of equal opportunity for all of the members of the University community. The University prohibits, and will not tolerate, discrimination in employment, the provision of academic services or in any other area of University life based on race, color, sex, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, ethnicity, genetic information, HIV status, or status as a veteran. Prohibited bias factors should not motivate decisions regarding students, employees, applicants for admission, applicants for employment, contractors, volunteers or participants in and/or users of institutional programs, services, and activities.

COVID Vaccination Statement (PLEASE NOTE)

Employees in clinical settings must meet the State of Maine's immunization requirements for clinical activity.